AP Adriana Beach Resort

This report is written from the perspective of a retired couple on an all-inclusive basis who don’t necessarily need or want to engage with all the activities and options that are available on a resort of this type. The comments below will reflect this and as such are not a comprehensive review of the hotel, just comments on those aspects that we did engage with. We arrived at 12:30pm, the welcome we received was very good and although we knew the hotel had a policy of not booking in until 3:00pm the lady that dealt with our booking simply said leave your bags and go for lunch and the room would be ready when you come back. Which it was. In general, it must be said that the Front Desk staff were extremely helpful and dealt with all our questions etc in a professional and timely manner. Nothing was too much trouble; they organised taxis for us and gave guidance on where and when pickups would be ready. Also adjacent to the reception desk there was a large TV lounge, luggage store and the library all of which were kept very tidy and clean. Our room on first appearance seemed a bit small but after some reorganisation was adequate. It included a large bathroom which had a hand basin, toilet and walk-in shower. The balcony was overlooking one of the green spaces. Prior to booking the holiday I had emailed the hotel asking if tea and coffee making facilities were available in the room and was told there were. However, there wasn’t. Upon speaking with reception we were given an electric kettle, it was suggested we could buy coffee in the local shop which was a 5-minute taxi ride. There were in fact hot drinks machines accessible outside of the restaurant that delivered reasonable quality drinks. The food in the main restaurant was very good and varied. As one would expect there were options for vegetarians, children and a range of hot foods and salads that changed daily, pizza’s were available every lunchtime and were exceptionally tasty. A lot of fish dishes were available plus some other unusual options that we have never seen in a resort of this type before, a favourite was the lamb chops with some of the best mint sauce ever. There was also a good selection of bread, fruit and desserts. The main restaurant was totally self-service including wines, beer, juices and soft drinks. This restaurant was quite spacious but noisy with options to eat either inside or outside. We did find the staff looking after the tables not particularly friendly or welcoming and spent too much time chattering amongst themselves. The only negative we had about the food was that at breakfast (and other times) the “hot” food, IE eggs, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms were usually cold. We did take this up with the management who committed to check it out, but nothing seemed to change. It was suggested we try the GRILL restaurant for breakfast, but this was no different. We did point out that the provision of hot plates would help. Hot plate servers were available but not working! The main bar provided a good range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks including some branded versions. There were times when this bar was understaffed, and people were queueing to be served. We can’t comment on the outdoor pools, but the indoor one was kept clean and tidy, of a good size and surprisingly little used. The grounds were extensive with lots of grassy areas and mature trees. There was access to the beach off the resort via a set of steps, 94 in total, the sandy beach was lovely, wide, and clean.

The area of Falésia beach has long been our favourite but we decided to stay in the AP Adriana for the first time. It’s really out in the sticks, which we love but an easy taxi ride to get to Vilamoura or Olhos da Água, or if you like walking as we do, it can be a lovely beach walk to either. The hotel itself is spread out in beautifully maintained grounds, plenty of grass area with sun beds if you don’t like the noise at the main pool, can’t get a bed at the quiet pool, or don’t like sand on the beach! That said the beach (roughly 100 steps down after going through the security gate and that means back up too!) has sun beds and parasols free to guests. They are chained together but there is a little manoeuvrability and beats lying on the sand. The main areas for lobby, dining and external seating are pretty spacious and well appointed, the rooms (we had superior) are nicely done if minimalistic and we took our own travel kettle and coffee making equipment having heard they weren’t provided in the room, which we found most unusual! The food in the main restaurant was very good, probably best salad bar and desserts bar we’ve had in an all inclusive. Main dishes were good, and reasonable variety. The specialty restaurants were both good menus, and if you can get a table online booking, you can go as many times as you like. We went twice to both over two weeks. The sunset bar staff were excellent and quick to remember your preferences. All the staff were helpful, especially reception staff. The animation team worked tirelessly and efficiently, our choice was aqua gym and the Latino dance classes. Overall a brilliant stay, and I’m pretty sure we will be returning customers! Thanks to all staff for making our stay so enjoyable.

We went for a week as a family of 4. First of all, we paid for an upgrade to a “large superior room”, what was large or superior about it I’m not sure but we phoned reception to ask if it definitely was the correct room and they said it was. It was very standard sized and basic. There wasn’t even a kettle in the room which was a bit annoying when needing to heat baby formula. Secondly, ants kept appearing in our bathroom, I tried to call reception 4 times about it but they didn’t answer. The air con also wouldn’t turn on, and then turned itself on randomly and we couldn’t turn it off. The food is nice but as with all buffets, gets repetitive after a while. We didn’t try the on-site restaurants. The drink selection was quite basic unless you upgraded to premium all inclusive. The pool was nice and the kids pool and splash park were well enjoyed, although very cold as the pools aren’t heated. Loungers freely available and no rush to claim them. The staff were friendly and approachable. The beach is very pretty and a nice place to sit and watch the sunrise/sunset. If you don’t like heights, the wooden stairs down are a bit of a challenge. We took the bus into Vilamoura one day and there are options of leave and return times, which you need to book the day before. Leave times were 9:30 or 11am and return was 4:30 and 7pm. We opted for 11am to 4:30 which was still quite a long day and fine if you’re going out for lunch and to sit in the bars but with young kids in tow to keep entertained, an earlier return would have been nice. There is taxis available but these cost more, we took a taxi into Albufeira old town which was about €16 each way.

The location is excellent, and the service is amazing. A really relaxing trip which I personally enjoyed. The entertainment was also on point, with great entertainers and dancers! The personel really made a big impact on how fun the trip was, always up to something, including dancing, games and events. So to sum it up, a really GREAT experience

Amazing Hotel. Great staff and an AMAZING Entertainment team. The beach by the hotel is also very nice. Weather was geat the week we were here. Family already talking about going again next year

I booked a short break for my wife and I at the Adriana Beach, to celebrate our birthdays. Having read the reviews, I felt confident that I had made a good choice. We have stayed at another hotel, local to this, but I wanted to experience a different place. Sadly, I made a mistake choosing the Adriana Beach. First impressions were good. We arrived before our room was ready but were able to store our luggage and change into pool gear. We spent a couple of hours at the main pool, which was busy, with "entertainment" going on. Loud and boisterous, but we found sun loungers and started our holiday. Our room was available by 3.30pm and we received a lift to it by buggy (nice touch). The room, supposedly a large apartment (able to accommodate 4) was tiny. Fortunately, there were just two of us. I have no clue how 4 could be accommodated in the space available. The room was spotless, but had no kettle (I like a coffee first thing), the fridge was in the wardrobe so could not be opened without tilting it so the door cleared the wardrobe edge. On the first night, the full length mirror fell from the wall and could not be rehung. Dining was an experience. The main restaurant was a scrum, with tables cleared but not restocked with cutlery, glasses etc,vso you had to try to locate these from other tables. The staff were slow and busy chatting to each other instead of getting their job done. There was litter and napkins strewn over the floor and staff simply ignored it. We used all 3 restaurants and the a la carte option was very good, the other two were poorly managed and failed at the basics. The grill was ok for breakfast, but again, staff were slow. The self service coffee machines were slow and a wait of 10 minutes in line was the norm. Every evening, the bars ran short of glasses. On both nights we used the bar, we had to be served drinks in glasses which were not suitable. We were in block M, and there was an electrical clicking noise in the stairwell every night, from 3am, which woke us both and ensured a restless night. On the morning of our departure, there was no hot water for a shower. Overall, a disappointment, especially as the complex has massive potential. A change of operational management would solve most of the issues but we will not return.

Amazing holiday & amazing hotel. We’ve had 5 days here this week & it was lovely. Food, rooms, entertainment & staff all absolutely 10/10. We would definitely come back & definitely recommend. The staff work extremely hard & they’re accommodating & couldn’t do enough for you. The entertainment staff especially absolutely pull it out the bag. We enjoyed the night time entertainment & went out 2 days on the €2 bus. Food 10/10 I’m a fussy eater & there was something for everybody & the drinks are all great. Gutted to be leaving Sunny Portugal & venturing back to the rainy UK.

Deutsch: Wir waren bereits zum 4. Mal da. Fantastisches Hotel an spektakulärer Lage - Erholung pur! Tolles Essen, tolles Ambiente, sehr sauber, familiär und herzlich (auch Hotelkatzen werden gefüttert). Das Animationsteam leistet einen grandiosen Job. Man merkt Ihnen die Freude an - es ist mehr als nur ein Beruf. Sehr herzliche und talentierte Menschen, die super im Team funktionieren (wirkt wie eine Familie). Dies wirkt sicher sehr positiv auf das Klientel aus - weiter so! English: This was our fourth time there. Fantastic hotel in a spectacular location—pure relaxation! Great food, great atmosphere, very clean, friendly, and welcoming (even the hotel cats are fed). The entertainment team does an amazing job. You can tell they enjoy what they do—it's more than just a job. Very warm and talented people who work great as a team (they're like a family). This certainly has a very positive effect on the clientele, just good vibes - keep up the great work! Daniela & Adriano

Beautiful, well-attended grounds. The dedicated team of staff should be commended - particularly catering and housekeeping for their exemplary work. Although the entertainment wasn't our cup of tea, the animation staff were exuberant and went all-out to perform and include everyone in activities throughout the day. I would echo other reviewers in making poolside smoke-free, as it's unpleasant and unhealthy as inconsiderate people chain-smoke while guests try to relax and enjoy a great setting. The porters were helpful in ferrying us to and from our accommodation on a golf buggy on arrival and departure. The beach was great and on our last evening we watched a wonderful sunset at Shark Fin Point. We enjoyed our short stay very much and would happily return.

A previous review mentioned the resort as being Area 1 and 2. This is exactly what it is. The food in the main restaurant was extremely good, varied and always hot. The issue we had was there were so many young children and babies and it would have been welcomed had there been a separate area for adults which would have been possible having the layout that there is. We visited the two 'bookable' restaurants but both times we had a family sitting next to us who arrived after us. They had two very young babies and a toddler. They were up and down all evening, feeding the babies at the table, one with a bottle and the other was breast feeding (not a problem with that) and also going off to change one of the babies. It was very off putting, we went for a quiet relaxing meal - no chance! There was plenty of day time activities, although the water polo never happened. At 8.30 every evening was the kids disco in the main entertainment area which went on until 9pm. A few times when I went to look, there were only 2 children in attendance. We feel that this should have been held in a different area and then the main entertainment could have began earlier than 9.30pm! Overall, a good holiday, the reception staff were very helpful, food was good, evening entertainment average, day time good but far too many kids and the beach a bit too far away and accessed via a large wooden staircase with no facilities there. Regarding allergies, apparently you are supposed to let reception know when you arrive to check in. Not really the first thing on your mind when you arrive after travelling for many hours. In the main restaurant you can see what you are getting but in the 'bookable' restaurants, the waiters should have asked. Would we go again - probably not.